Don’t stand aside: the art world says STOP to aggression

#Events

The start of war by Russia in Ukraine has led to changes all over the world: heavy sanctions are being imposed on Russia, many countries are revoking visas for Russians, companies are refusing to work with people from Russia. The art world is also experiencing a global crisis. Afisha.London magazine tells the details.

Art at all times has been a kind of haven where one could find joy, peace and salvation, but Russia attacking Ukraine could not but affect the creative world. Many cultural figures suspend cooperation with Russian organizations, thus expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Foreign venues also refuse to cooperate with Russian conductors, singers and other artists who have not condemned the actions of the Russian president.

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Vasily Petrenko, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, has released a statement on his official website and social media regarding his decision to suspend operations in Russia, including all future commitments as Artistic Director of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia “Evgeni Svetlanov”. Petrenko stressed that “the historic and cultural ties between the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, of which I am proud, can never be used to justify Russia’s invasion”.

Earlier it became known about the cancellation of the tour of the Bolshoi Ballet: the summer season was in the final stages of planning, but the Royal Opera House stated that under the current circumstances, the season cannot go ahead. The Helix Theatre in Dublin has canceled a production of Swan Lake by the Moscow Royal Ballet, while theatres in Bristol, Edinburgh, Wolverhampton, Peterborough and Northampton have canceled tour performances by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia. The Ballet Icons Gala 2022, where Russian dancers were supposed to perform, will also not take place in the near future due to the position of the host theatre venue ENO.

Photo from the personal archive of Vasily Petrenko

The Edinburgh International Festival has ceased cooperation with conductor Valery Gergiev, since Edinburgh is twinned with the city of Kyiv, and the organisation said the action was being taken in support of its citizens. The manager of Valery Gergiev, Markus Felsner, also decided not to work with the conductor anymore. The Munich Philharmonic has parted ways with its chief conductor Valery Gergiev and the Bavarian State Opera also ceased cooperation with him. This and the refusal to work with Anna Netrebko were announced by the director of the opera, Serge Dorny, explaining his decision by a lack of sufficient distancing from artists. La Scala theatre will also no longer cooperate with Anna Netrebko. The pavilion with Russian artists at the Venice Biennale will not open on April 23, as it was planned before.

Peter Aven, a Russian billionaire, one of the close associates of the President of Russia, an art collector and a sponsor of British cultural institutions, has left the post of trustee of the Royal Academy of Arts. The Royal Academy has also returned a donation made by Aven to a recently opened exhibition of Francis Bacon’s work.

Photo: Damir Yusupov

Tate is being urged to cut ties with Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian oligarch, associate of Vladimir Putin, honorary member of the Tate Foundation. Labor MP Chris Bryant said that all British cultural institutions should stop any cooperation with all supporters of the Russian President.

Many Russian bands and performers are postponing and canceling their concerts. So, for example, the band Mumiy Troll announced the cessation of concert activities. “We will have to start again from scratch and through suffering and pain seek mutual understanding and love,” the band’s official Instagram account says.

And it seems that this is only the beginning of the end… Although we are trying to stay optimistic.

Share your opinion with our editorial team: how can people of creative professions help in restoring the peace? You can take the survey here.

Cover photo: Andrada Pavel

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